The sense of mankind authorizes us to examine into the mode of acquiring new power, and to criticize on the use that is made of it, with less awe and reverence than that which is usually conceded to a settled and recognized authority.
From his critique of the French Revolution, Burke discusses the different levels of scrutiny applied to new power versus established authority.
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A few years ago I should be ashamed to overload a matter so capable of supporting itself by the then unnecessary support of any argument; but this seditious, unconstitutional doctrine is now publicly taught, avowed, and printed.
Governments must be abused and deranged indeed, before it can be thought of; and the prospect of the future must be as bad as the experience of the past.
An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease.
This is the spirit of our Constitution, not only in its settled course, but in all its revolutions.
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